David Kilby, Managing Editor
MONROE — the residents of Monroe’s three fire district showed unity in their support of their fire houses, passing all budgets and re-electing all incumbent fire commissioners.
The Fire District 1 budget of $1,212,842, which includes $1,032,342 to be raised by taxation, passed 331 to 195. The tax rate is 11.1 cents per $100 of assessed value, the same as last year. A house in District 1 assessed at $169,000 will pay about $188 for fire protection this year. The district covers the north part of the township.
”We’re definitely happy with the budget passing and the support of taxpayers again,” said Charles Dipierro chairman of the board of commissioners.
The three incumbent candidates for Fire District 1 won the three open seats on the board. In the two seats for three-year terms, Mike Costello received 321 votes and Robert LeBrun received 329. In the seat for a one-year term, Vincent DiLieto received 316. Their challengers received triple-digit votes as well. Timothy Eosso had 204, Anthony Malanga had 194 and Tim McAuliffe had 208.
According to unofficial results, the proposed budget for Fire District 2, $3,601,170, with $3,305,170 to be raised by taxation, passed 412 to 143, and incumbent commissioner Maurice Mahler, board chairman, beat Harold Dower 412 to 143.
The tax rate for the district is 25.7 cents per $100 of assessed value. A house assessed at $169,000 would pay $434.33.District 2 covers the southern part of the township.
The District 3 budget of $4,603,557, with $4,342,557 to be raised by taxation, passed 546 to 216. A second question also asked to move $150,000 from capital reserves to the operating fund. It also passed with a vote of 542 to 214.
The incumbent candidates won in District 3 as well. Joel Kaplan received 600 votes and Gerald Kaplan, no relation, received 669. Their challengers easily broke 100 votes. Benjamin Vivona received 159 and returning candidate Michael Konowicz received 116. District 3 covers the center of Monroe.
Cranbury’s volunteer fire company does not have a board of commissioners or a fire district election.
The press has not yet received information on the Jamesburg Fire District elections. The proposed budget was $446,001, with $393,944 to be raised by taxation, and the tax rate was 16.6 cents per $100 of assessed value, the same as last year. The two uncontested commissioners in Jamesburg were Nancy Linke and Brian Wright.

